Top 10 Kitchen Remodeling Tips

A kitchen used only for cooking means missed opportunities to create a home with special family time, or fun gatherings with friends. After all, the kitchen is the centre of much of our activities when at home. A comfortable and aesthetic space encourages human interaction and brings people closer together. Spending some time correctly designing a kitchen will not only increase the value of your house, it will also pay emotional dividends.

Here are some tips we have gathered through our extensive experience remodeling kitchens:

1. SIMPLE IS BETTER Most of the time less is actually more. The mark of a good design is an understatement. 2. MORE COUNTER SPACE NEAR THE STOVE Having plenty of space to prep food makes cooking more enjoyable. 3. MORE STORAGE More storage means less cluttered countertops which means a cleaner look. Consider taking your cabinets to the ceilings, you'll be able to store items not often used out of sight, helping to result in a less cluttered look. 4. INVEST IN GOOD CRAFTSMANSHIP Shoddy work simply doesn't look good and will have to be redone. Investing in good craftsmanship will save you money down the road and fashion a more beautiful space. 5. CLEAN OUT THE OLD APPLIANCES Remodelling a kitchen also means cleaning out the old drawers and cabinets. Throw out that old grill that hasn't been used in 10 years and those pots and pans that saw better days when the green carpet was the rage. Get rid of whatever you don't need. 6. IF SPACE ALLOWS, BUILD AN ISLAND An island means extra storage and countertop space (there is no such a thing as too much counter space), and just as importantly, it is a great gathering spot. 7. LET THERE BE LIGHT! Put a light fixture above the stove, one over the sink, one over the island. Like a bathroom, the kitchen is a space where more light is better than less. And you can always have a dimmer installed for when you want a softer atmosphere. 8. DON'T FORGET TO PLAN FOR RECYCLING AND GARBAGE BINS If possible, plan for bins that can be hidden behind lower cabinet doors and place them closer to the sink. Don't forget to add that recycle bin. 9. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FLOORING While there are many choices for beautiful flooring, not all of them are appropriate for the kitchen. A wood floor looks great in a hallway or living room, but it will wear out faster in a kitchen, and that's okay as long as you understand that it may need to be refinished regularly. A stone floor is equally beautiful, but again it will be a bit porous, requiring periodic resealing. Tiles are the preferred flooring for kitchen simply because of their easier upkeep and better longevity. While there are no wrong choices, make sure you walk in with eyes open. 10. BE READY By the time you meet with a contractor you should have a very good plan in mind. Your layout, appliances, functionality and colours should be fairly clear. The more prepared you are, the more money you will save. Nothing can add to the budget like uncertainty and changes. Spending some time correctly designing a kitchen will not only increase the value of your house, it will also pay emotional dividends.